On her first visit, a patient had a baseline hemoglobin of 13.0 gm and a hematocrit of 42.9%.She has been taking ferrous sulfate tablets and eating an iron-rich diet.She returned to the clinic at 30 weeks gestation and has a hemoglobin of 11.0 gm and a hematocrit of 36.3%.She is concerned and confused about why these lab values have gone down.
In responding, which physiological change during pregnancy should the nurse describe to the patient?

The correct answer is choice D. “Have you noticed any tenderness in your breasts?”

Breast tenderness is one of the early signs of pregnancy that may occur as early as one to two weeks after conception.It is caused by hormonal changes that prepare the breasts for lactation.

Choice A is wrong because shortness of breath is not a sign of early pregnancy.It may occur later in pregnancy due to the growing uterus pressing on the diaphragm.

Choice B is wrong because episodes of loss of consciousness are not a sign of early pregnancy.They may indicate a serious condition such as anemia, dehydration, or hypoglycemia that requires medical attention.

Choice C is wrong because spotting is not a sign of early pregnancy.

It may be a sign of implantation bleeding, which occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus.However, implantation bleeding is usually much lighter and shorter than a normal period.

This is because epidural anesthesia can cause hypotension (low blood pressure) which can affect the placental blood flow and fetal oxygenation.

The nurse should monitor the patient’s blood pressure frequently and intervene if it drops below the baseline.

Choice A is wrong because assessing the patient’s urine for acetone is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia.Acetone in urine can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes that occurs when the body breaks down fat for energy due to lack of insulin.

However, this is not related to epidural anesthesia.

Choice B is wrong because monitoring the patient’s deep tendon reflexes is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia.Deep tendon reflexes can be affected by magnesium sulfate, a medication used to prevent seizures in patients with preeclampsia (a condition characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy).

However, this is not related to epidural anesthesia.

Choice C is wrong because assessing the patient’s pupillary accommodation is not relevant to the side effects of epidural anesthesia.

Pupillary accommodation is the ability of the eye to adjust its focus from distant to near objects.It can be impaired by drugs that affect the nervous system, such as opioids or anticholinergics.